A love for flowers and plants is a must for being a part of the Floriculture team; the contest requires learning about 115 different flowers to compete. And that’s just the beginning. The Floriculture CDE requires students to identify plants, judge flower arrangements and solve problems. Participants also demonstrate skills in flower arranging, propagation and the preparation of floral and foliage products for sale.

“It is a very challenging contest,” junior Cheyenne Eitson said. “Once you get the hang of it though, the event is very fun.”

Each member has a list containing names of plants, pests, diseases, and tools to memorize the details of. Contests consist of 50 questions.

“The questions are the hardest part,” senior Brizeida Rodriguez said. “We have 250 questions that we have to have memorized but we only take a randomized test over 50 question.”

This year’s team consists of six people: Eitson, junior Ally Smith, Rodriguez, freshman Marissa Muniz, and junior April Johnson. The team advanced to state last year.

“State last year was so fun,” Smith said. “We did not advance to Nationals but the experience is still a good one.”

The contest includes 13 classes ranging from placing classes to plant identification.

“The contest is very long,” Rodriguez said. “Each contest we usually spend three to four hours competing.”

This year, the team is expecting to advance to state again. At a recent contest in Cypress Creek, the team placed first out of 36 teams.Johnson placed fourth out of 140 people in individuals.

“I am 100 percent confident that we will be advancing to state,” Eitson said. “Our team this year works well together and they are all excited about Floriculture.”